FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 10-4-01

AASU Hosts ITA Men's Tennis Southeast Regional This Weekend

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Many of the top NCAA Division II men's tennis players in the nation converge on Savannah this weekend as Armstrong Atlantic State hosts the 2001 ITA Men's Tennis Southeast Regional beginning on Friday.

Fifty-one players representing nine schools will compete in singles and doubles play for the chance to advance to the ITA National Championships in Dallas, Texas, on October 19-21.

The top seed in the singles draw is Valdosta State University senior Tobias Huning. Huning was ranked No. 26 in the nation in Division II last season while playing for Lander University and advanced to the quarterfinals of last year's regional. The No. 2 seed is Laszlo Leiter of Francis Marion, while the No. 3 seed is David Olave from North Florida. The No. 4 seed is the defending ITA Regional champion Evgeni Mikheev from Lander University.

The top-seeded doubles duo are Bube and Sollie Nortje from Francis Marion, the No. 8-ranked doubles team in the nation last season. Marco Borges and Huning from Valdosta State are the No. 2 seed, while Olave and Miguel Angelo Mariano from North Florida are the No. 3 seed. Last year, Borges and Olave captured the ITA Southeast Region doubles title when Olave played for the Blazers.

The host Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates have eight players competing in the singles draw, led by freshman Leonardo Motta, a 9-12 seed.

Other teams sending players to the ITA Southeast Regional include: Augusta State, Columbus State, USC Spartanburg and Georgia College & State.

This weekend's ITA Southeast Regional will be using the Wilson Rally Ball. Six percent larger than a conventional tennis ball, the Rally Ball has been approved by the International Tennis Federeation (ITF) as the USTA. While larger than the conventional ball, the Rally Ball is actually two grams lighter and the benefits of the Rally Ball include: longer rallies, more reaction time and greater visibility.

Play begins at 2 p.m. on Friday and continues through Monday.

(draw to follow)

- Pirates -